While it’s unknown why the boy attempted to commit suicide, Conney said generally people who are suicidal or who have threatened to kill themselves don’t do it because they want to end their life, but “they want the pain to end.” In this case, Conney said he hopes that it will be discovered what pain this boy has been experiencing and that something can be done to address it.

“It’s our hope he will make a full recovery; that’s what we’re praying for,” he added.

The boy reportedly shot himself at about 4 a.m. on Woodlawn Avenue.

Huron County Sheriff’s Deputy Josh Kaufman was northbound on Old State Road when he saw a white 1993 Audi turn left from East Main Street onto Old State Road. Conney said the deputy heard some “squealing tires,” so he turned around and followed the car, only to have the driver of a red truck get between his cruiser and the car.

“The car is pretty far ahead of the truck. The truck is between Kaufman and the car,” said Conney, who noted the deputy didn’t know at the time the occupant of the truck was a relative of the boy’s and attempting to help him.

Conney said the deputy decided to follow the truck since it was being driven erratically on Old State Road and initiated a traffic stop on Woodlawn Avenue. The Audi, which was in front, apparently had pulled over also.

“I don’t think he could see it,” Conney said.

Once the truck stopped, the driver got out of his car and ran to Kaufman, telling the deputy his brother had a gun and “was going to kill himself,” Conney said.

The deputy secured the driver in his cruiser and then “realized in the meantime, the youth had shot himself,” the interim chief said.

Norwalk police arrived and officers began performing CPR on the boy. Conney said the patient immediately was transported to Fisher-Titus Medical Center “and they worked on him there” and a medical helicopter flew the boy to MetroHealth Medical Center, where he had surgery.

About 6:30 a.m. Sunday, Norwalk police asked the Erie County Sheriff’s Office to check on the well-being of the boy’s father. According to the report, the son “was involved in an incident in their jurisdiction involving a firearm.” Conney said the boy lives with his both his mother and father.

A deputy attempted to locate the father. The deputy’s report indicates the officer was unable to contact anyone at the Huron Township house, which was secure and nothing appeared to be “out of the ordinary.”

Conney was asked how the boy obtained the gun.

“That has not been totally decided at this point,” Conney said Monday afternoon. “They are still following up on a lot of stuff.”

It’s unknown if the boy had permission to drive the car. However, Conney said it’s mostly likely the boy had the vehicle without authorization. Authorities believe the Audi had been stolen from the Edison High School parking lot.

When asked if the boy has a history of suicide attempts or mental illness, the interim chief said “we’ve had no report in Norwalk on this boy whatsoever.”

Multiple attempts to contact Huron County Sheriff Todd Corbin for an interview were unsuccessful Monday.

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UPDATED 2:45 p.m. Monday, March 19, 2018: A 14-year-old local boy was in stable condition Monday, one day after shooting himself in the head during an apparent suicide attempt.

While it’s unknown why the boy attempted to commit suicide, Conney said generally people who are suicidal or who have threatened to kill themselves don’t do it because they want to end their life, but “they want the pain to end.” In this case, Conney said he hopes that it will be discovered what pain this boy has been experiencing and that something can be done to address it.

“It’s our hope he will make a full recovery; that’s what we’re praying for,” he added.

Authorities first were called at 6:29 a.m. when the boy’s father requested the Erie County Sheriff’s Office check on the well-being of his son. According to the report, the son “was involved in an incident in their jurisdiction involving a firearm.” Conney said the boy lives with his both his mother and father.

* * *

A teen boy shot himself early Sunday morning in Norwalk.

The Sandusky Register reported the shooting, apparently a suicide attempt, came after a Woodlawn Avenue traffic stop initiated by a Huron County sheriff’s deputy. The boy reportedly is 13 or 14 and has Norwalk and Milan addresses. He was taken to a Cleveland-area hospital and his condition is unknown.

Few other details are known at this time. The Reflector is pursuing the story and will post more information as it becomes available.